Ken Dowd

For more than 40 years, Kenneth Dowd has created innovative and provocative designs spanning the automotive and aerospace industries. After graduating with honors from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, Ken began his design career in the late 1960s with Ford Motor Company.

During his decade at Ford, he worked in the Special Projects Studio, where he was responsible for the design and modification of numerous race and show cars across both the United States and Australia. During this time, Ken developed a close professional relationship with renowned automotive designer Larry Shinoda. Shinoda had been recruited from General Motors to help elevate Ford’s styling and strengthen its market appeal. His first major project at Ford was the Boss 302 Mustang, a high-performance homologation model. Shinoda is widely credited with coining the “Boss” name and leading the design direction that influenced Mustang models from 1970 to 1973.

Ken later reflected on this formative period, saying, “I am forever grateful for the design opportunities that Larry and Ford Motor Company gave me.”

After leaving Ford in 1975, Ken joined the legendary industrial design firm Teague, where he began in the Seattle office and contributed to the design of two Kenworth Bicentennial Edition trucks. He eventually rose to Vice President, overseeing all Boeing-related operations, and played a pivotal role in the development of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

In 2006, Ken was recognized as one of the world’s Top 35 Innovators by Travel + Leisure magazine.